In this motivational segment, host Speaker A introduces LaToya Williams, known as the "singing psalmist," who delivers an inspiring address to graduating seniors. LaToya shares her personal story of growing up in a small, predominantly Black Michigan town, becoming a single mother at 20, and moving to Atlanta with her infant daughter despite fear and doubt. She emphasizes the importance of blocking external negativity, staying determined, and maintaining a strong mindset to achieve goals. LaToya likens life's challenges to detours, urging listeners to keep their objectives in focus and persist through obstacles. She stresses that personal success can inspire others, highlighting a ripple effect of empowerment. The talk concludes with a heartfelt encouragement for the graduates to pursue their dreams, trust in God, and become role models for those who follow.
And so I got a special guest for you. I call her the singing psalmist, LaToya Williams, and she's just going to get in Curry Burnage.
Congratulations to the seniors. I know how hard it is to, you know, be in this moment. And I know, like, in the beginning it seemed like, oh my God, I can't do it. It's impossible. And then you got the self thing that's happening in your mind, like, Am I gonna do it? Am I gonna give up? Is this too hard for me? I'm from a small town, a small town in Michigan. It was just a real small community, predominantly Black, one high school. I was a single parent. I had a daughter when I was 20 years old. And by my circumstances being the way that they were, I was thinking like, you know, there's more to life than this. There's more to life that I want for my daughter. And so I had the opportunity of moving to Atlanta at the age of 20 with a 1-year-old, leaving my support system, leaving everything that I knew. And of course, fear was there, doubt was there, because I'm a new parent and I didn't know what this future was going to look like. But I know I was determined because I saw greater for myself as well as my daughter. So you have some people in your inner circle that are like, you know what, I don't think you should do I don't think this is the right time. I don't think you should go forward just yet. Wait till your daughter gets a little older. But I'm like, if I let their fears project up onto me and where I see myself going, I'm gonna be waiting forever. So you have to learn how to block those things and be determined and strong-minded to say, yes, I can do it. Yes, I am going to do it. And yes, I will make it. And you never know, you making that choice will cause others that's in your inner circle, as well as others that haven't even met you yet, say, you know what, if she can do it, I can do it too. Life is full of challenges. I was just talking to my son about detours. Detours happen, but as long as you got a goal in mind, you can get through every obstacle, you can get through every situation. You know, you just have to be strong-minded and know there's an end that I'm trying to get to. You know, and I have to go through it to get to it. So I just wanted to encourage you guys to say, you know, keep going. This is the beginning. It may seem like it's the end for one level, but it's a whole nother beginning for a whole nother level, you know. So as long as you have your goals in mind, don't let nothing stop you. You can do it. You can do it. You can do whatever you put your mind to. You go through— it's not just for you. It's for somebody else. Other people are waiting for you to get into position so that they can get to where they need to go and get on forward. Don't let nothing stop you, and God bless you. So, uh, it is amazing.
You guys finished speaking today, and so I'm excited. I'm proud of her. I think where she's going in her speaking career, uh, motivational, she's going to be amazing. So get ready, she's coming.
